2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsFault line poses little threat to Springfield
Dan Snyder
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Features
The New Madrid fault line runs from Memphis, Tenn. to St. Louis, Mo. It covers five states: Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee.
About 200 years ago, on Feb. 7, 1812, the largest earthquake in the contiguous United States occurred on this fault line. This earthquake was felt as far as 50,000 miles away and had a magnitude of 8.0.
The 1812 earthquake caused the Mississippi River to change its course and also lifted up the land causing the river to run backwards for a period of days.
But is there a possibility that an earthquake of this magnitude could happen again?
According to Kevin Mickus, professor of geophysics at Missouri State, it could very well happen.
"Oh yeah, this could happen again," Mickus said. "A lot of people agree based on evidence that these major earthquakes happen every 200 to 500 years."
According to the United States Geological Service, many minor one- to five- magnitude quakes occur each and everyday, often with more than one per day.
The Richter Magnitude scale ranks earthquakes from 1 to 10, with the largest magnitude ever recorded being a 9.6 during the 1960 Chilean earthquake.
If a major earthquake happened at the New Madrid fault line, what could be the resulting damage for those along the line?
"There would be damage along the Mississippi River," Mickus said. "St. Louis would have damage and especially Memphis would have damage because they sit on the Mississippi River sediment. And what would happen since they sit on wet sand the sound waves from the earthquake would amplify causing more damage to those areas.
"Bridges would fall into the river and buildings would fall. Landslides would occur, and there could be massive destruction. They are starting to take precautions, but some buildings would still see damage."
Springfield residents can be assured there would be little damage to our city if a major earthquake occurred.
"I think we would feel a little bit of shaking, but I don't think there would be very much damage," Mickus said. "We are far enough away, and we sit on limestone, so we wouldn't feel much or have much damage."
"Some buildings would have minor damage, especially those with cider block construction, but there wouldn't be any major destruction around here."
About 200 years ago, on Feb. 7, 1812, the largest earthquake in the contiguous United States occurred on this fault line. This earthquake was felt as far as 50,000 miles away and had a magnitude of 8.0.
The 1812 earthquake caused the Mississippi River to change its course and also lifted up the land causing the river to run backwards for a period of days.
But is there a possibility that an earthquake of this magnitude could happen again?
According to Kevin Mickus, professor of geophysics at Missouri State, it could very well happen.
"Oh yeah, this could happen again," Mickus said. "A lot of people agree based on evidence that these major earthquakes happen every 200 to 500 years."
According to the United States Geological Service, many minor one- to five- magnitude quakes occur each and everyday, often with more than one per day.
The Richter Magnitude scale ranks earthquakes from 1 to 10, with the largest magnitude ever recorded being a 9.6 during the 1960 Chilean earthquake.
If a major earthquake happened at the New Madrid fault line, what could be the resulting damage for those along the line?
"There would be damage along the Mississippi River," Mickus said. "St. Louis would have damage and especially Memphis would have damage because they sit on the Mississippi River sediment. And what would happen since they sit on wet sand the sound waves from the earthquake would amplify causing more damage to those areas.
"Bridges would fall into the river and buildings would fall. Landslides would occur, and there could be massive destruction. They are starting to take precautions, but some buildings would still see damage."
Springfield residents can be assured there would be little damage to our city if a major earthquake occurred.
"I think we would feel a little bit of shaking, but I don't think there would be very much damage," Mickus said. "We are far enough away, and we sit on limestone, so we wouldn't feel much or have much damage."
"Some buildings would have minor damage, especially those with cider block construction, but there wouldn't be any major destruction around here."
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